Fastest 250 Wickets in Test Cricket
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In this article, we look at the record for the fastest 250 wickets in Test cricket. The mark was set by India off-spinner R Ashwin who achieved it in 45 matches, in February 2017, breaking the previous record of 48 matches set by Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee, in February 1981.
R Ashwin (45 Matches)
Indian off-spinner R Ashwin set a record for the fastest to 250 Test wickets, when he achieved the milestone in his 45th match on 9 February 2017. In the process, he broke the previous mark set by Dennis Lillee on 7 February 1981. Ashwin who made his Test debut in 2010 has since in 84 Tests. The bowler has grabbed 430 wickets at 24.38. He has taken fifers on 30 separate occasions, including best returns of 7.59. Ashwin has also registered 10-wicket match hauls on 7 occasions.
DK Lillee (48 Matches)
Dennis Lillee set a new mark for the fastest to 250 Test wickets when he achieved the feat on 7 February 1981. In the process, Lillee broke the previous mark of 62 matches set by England pacer Fred Trueman in 1963. Lillee’s record stood for 35 years until it was broken by India’s R Ashwin in 2017. Overall, Lillee’s Test career lasted 70 matches wherein he grabbed 355 scalps at 23.92. he had best bowling figures in an innings of 7/83, with 23 five-wicket hauls. Lillee also registered 10-wicket hauls in 7 Test matches.
DW Steyn (49 Matches)
Fast bowler Dale Steyn, who represented South Africa in Test cricket from 2004 to 2019, achieved the 250-wicket milestone in his 39th match. Steyn came closes to equalling/ breaking Lillee’s record until India’s R Ashwin actually did it in 2017. Steyn went on to play 93 Tests to take 439 wickets at an average of 22.95. He had 26 fifers in his career, including best bowling figures of 7/51. He also took 10 wickets in a match 5 times.
AA Donald (50 Matches)
Former South Africa paceman Allan Donald, who played between 1992 and 2002, got to 250 Test wickets in his 50th match. By the time he retired, he had taken 330 wickets at 22.25 in 72 matches, with a best innings haul of 8/71. He registered five-wicket hauls on 20 occasions, while taking 10 wickets in a match three times.
Waqar Younis (51 Matches)
Fast bowler Waqar Younis who played Test match for Pakistan from 1989 to 2003, achieved the milestone of 250 Test wickets in his 51st match. He finished his career with 373 wickets at 23.56 from 87 matches. He had 22 five-wicket innings hauls including best figures of 7/76. He also too 10 wickets in a Test match on 5 occasions.
